Böhm fails election as head of European Affairs Committee

AfD's Böhm Fails to Secure Chair Position in European Affairs Committee

German Alternative for Germany (AfD) member, Martin Böhm, stumbled in his bid to chair the European Affairs Committee in the state parliament. During the committee's inaugural meeting on Tuesday, Böhm only managed to garner two votes from his own party, with all 12 other MPs opposing him, resulting in an empty chair position. On the other hand, Freie Wähler’s Ulrike Müller was elected as deputy chair, garnering a resounding 12 votes with two abstentions from the AfD.

After dividing parliamentary group chairs last week, the AfD targeted chair positions in the Agriculture Committee and the European Committee. However, the outcome was in doubt from the outset.

Böhm's election setback directly affects the AfD's representation within the European Affairs Committee. The party's subsequent challenges in future parliamentary elections in both committees become an imminent concern.

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The AfD's future in the Agriculture Committee and European Committee, found in state parliaments, is uncertain and depends on several factors.

1. Electoral Slide: The AfD's recent polling data indicates a decline, currently standing at around 20-22% , significantly lower than their peak in 2017.
2. Internal Strife: The party has experienced internal challenges, such as Böhm's failed chair bid and the unsuccessful attempt to secure chair positions. These setbacks hint at internal divisions and leadership problems within the AfD .
3. Public Criticism: The AfD's nationalist and populist stance has faced criticism, and they've been associated with right-wing extremism. This led to widespread protests in Germany .
4. Regional Differences: While the AfD enjoys significant regional support, their overall national trend suggests a decline .

In conclusion, the AfD's future election prospects in the Agriculture Committee and European Committee are influenced by their nationwide performance and internal stability. These factors suggest significant challenges for the AfD as they strive to maintain or expand their support in upcoming elections.